Yoon Kye-sang still crazy about acting
by javabeans
Y’all know I have much affection for actor and former idol star Yoon Kye-sang. That affection endures despite his role as one of the most irritating characters in the recent drama Triple, and I’m eager to see the new movie he has coming out (the prison drama Executioners), which looks great. Here’s an interview with him as he promotes the new film.
“Even now, I’m still crazy about acting. And I believe in myself.”
It’s been six years since Yoon Kye-sang began acting. In 2004’s Flying Boys, he stood with uncertain eyes, not knowing where he was supposed to go, and is now a 32-year-old young man acting in movies. In the wake of his idol glory, he has been quietly walking the path of an actor. There were people who threw stones, and others who spit at him. Praise was scant, and his path was strewn with thorns. All the while, Yoon Kye-sang was always growing within his roles. No, the roles he chose reflected Yoon Kye-sang’s feelings of that time.
After he was released from military service, we met him in Crazy for Love after he’d split from a long-time girlfriend. The movie Lovers for Six Years was also an autobiographical project.
Yoon Kye-sang was called a traitor for leaving G.O.D. before the sixth album; they went on to release a seventh before disbanding (unofficially; rumors periodically surface that they may make a comeback). Yoon recently said that he had ended a six-year romance as he headed into military service, as both parties got busier and they naturally drifted apart.
He chose Beastie Boys because he’d wanted to try something new and try a change. Yoon Kye-sang grew within the film, and also grew through the film.
The film Executioners, which opens November 5, again shows Yoon Kye-sang growing. He plays the part of a man who ends a stretch of unemployment when he’s hired to work in a prison. He took a role that experienced another transformation as a new recruit who learns dirty methods and grows used to carrying out executions. This is how he attempted yet another transformation.
After doing depressing roles for a while, you’ve changed and done bright characters. But now you’ve come back to another dark and serious film.
“I think I’m more drawn to depressing, serious projects. I like the coming-of-age genre too, movies about a character’s growth. After deciding to act in Triple but before I started filming, I had some time, so I wanted to try something I liked again.”
What drew you most to this film?
“The script was good, but above all was the fact that Jo Jae-hyun sunbae would be acting in it. I really loved his movies like Bad Guy and Crocodile. First, I wondered whether I could do it, because if I can’t imagine myself in it, I can’t act it. I thought it could be most suited for me right now, at this age.”
You come across extremely naturally.
“I made a promise with the director. He told me to completely empty myself. It was my homework. He told me not to study and not to become accustomed to it. I was extremely uneasy, because if I couldn’t organize things, I would be very flustered. That’s why I stuck around the film set 24 hours a day. I didn’t have much dialogue within the prison, and it was mostly reactions. I had to see how all of my fellow actors would act.”
What did you gain from this?
“I developed my reactions. (Laughs) Usually, I’ve been very quick to sync up with my fellow actors. It’s partly because of my personality, but dramas are usually quick to go. However, doing this film, I think I developed some composure. I shot Triple right afterward, and I could feel that I developed more.”
Is that like growing along with the film?
“It’s like that. These days, I’m really thinking a lot. I think so much about acting and my life that I find it hard to fall asleep. I think about how I like coming-of-age movies, but that I should probably stop doing them now after this one. I think I’m right at that time in my life, which is why I think I chose this film.”
Whenever it comes time to choose a project, it seems like it reveals your dilemmas of the moment.
“That’s right. Whenever my emotions change or hit a turning point, I’ve done a project with that kind of character. When I did Crazy for Love and Lovers of Six Years, I was in a period of extreme pain and hurt over love. When I did Beastie Boys, I had a strong desire to show myself as an actor, although I’m disappointed that 40 minutes were edited out. (Laughs) When I haven’t picked a project in that way, I’ve felt a lot of hurt. It’s also the reason why I didn’t choose a project for eight months, until I did Triple.”
But Triple was able to become a success, either.
“I thought it would do well at the time. (Laughs) I was a supporting actor in it. To be honest, it made me think at the time, ‘I’m finished now.’ But the director Lee Yoon-jung asked me, ‘Kye-sang, what’s your forte?’ At the time, I’d said something like a bright expression, and then I felt like I’d been hit upside the back of the head. ‘Ah, I’d been wearing clothes that didn’t fit me,’ I thought. It made me wonder, ‘What do I do best? How was my beginning?’ I think to Flying Boys. That could be why I decided to do Executioners.”
When you switched direction to acting, you didn’t turn back and threw yourself into acting. Do you still have the passion you had when you did Flying Boys?
“Yes. Of course, if I have to say what’s changed, I’d say I’ve developed an efficient passion. Back then, I rushed into things. I was ambitious in wanting to succeed too quickly. But the more familiar I become with acting, the more I feel its depth.
“But I still have confidence. I have faith in my acting. I have faith in myself. I’m still crazy about acting.”
You must have thought a lot about the institution of capital punishment.
“To be honest, I hadn’t had a particular interest in the issue of capital punishment before. But in doing this movie, I did end up thinking about it a lot. In the past, when [kpop group] G.O.D. was at its hungriest, there was I time I killed a rabbit with my own hands. I couldn’t stand seeing it suffer. But I’ve never been able to forget that feeling that came from the tips of my fingers. To kill a living thing… I’m firmly against the death penalty.”
What have you gained and lost through acting?
“In order to pursue acting, I’ve lost popularity and found the natural person Yoon Kye-sang. I’ve gained confidence in my life.”
It’s been six years since you began acting. You have experienced a lot of difficult moments and enticements to return.
“I’ve experienced truly momentous occasions, and times that were incredibly difficult. But when those moments pass, I’m able to smile like this and talk about them. That’s life, and that’s what acting is.”
When you look at the projects that have earned you praise, a lot of them have been coming of age dramas. That can mean that when your established image hinders someone from becoming absorbed, at some point the audience accepts the change.
“These days in interviews, people don’t ask about G.O.D. as much as in the past. They ask a lot about the movie. I think people are gradually accepting me as an actor. That’s why I’m deliberating a lot about my next project. It’s confusing, thinking what I should do. Should I go for a project that is similar to the confusion I’m feeling? Ha, if I do a melodramatic film, does that mean I’ve fallen in love again? Oh well, I don’t know.”
Via Star News
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1 Pauline
October 30, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Wasn't the ending of the six year relationship with Sung Yuri? Btw, I loved him in g.o.d. He was hilarious!
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2 Surf City Girl
October 30, 2009 at 9:06 PM
I hope he continues to find that perfect film/drama he is looking for. Also i am hoping because of the hurt with ending the six years relationship that he doesn't have a bitterness toward finding that perfect girl again.
I really love his acting when he was in Crazy for Love. He really did a great job in that drama. I wasn't too thrill when he did Lovers of 6 years or was it 6 years as Lovers (whatever). That was not him.
I wish him the very best and I can't wait to see him in his new movie - Executioner.
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3 glitzyglam
October 30, 2009 at 9:38 PM
@1 - is that true? Sung Yuri??!?!??! WHATTT!
wow the rabbit thing really surprised me. I knew god had it bad before their debut.. but WOW.
aww and I've never thought of him as a traitor.. but god being my 1st kpop love and still til this day my fav. boy band (I was crazy.. went all the way to Korea just to catch a show of their 100 day concert O_O).. I have to admit I was very disappointed with him at one point. I do hope they release something together again (all 5) one day.. wishful thinking-- a girl can only dream (:
Anyway, I'm glad people are accepting him as an actor more more, and ask less about god. I guess doing what makes him happy is good! But if he EVER just has an urge to sing/rap/dance again.. please run back to god T_T;;
anyway, I'm looking forward to the movie!! Jo JaeHyun!! NIIICE!
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4 rockpinkslip
October 30, 2009 at 9:53 PM
@1 Pauline & 3 glitzyglam: Yeah his 6 yrs relationship was with Sung Yuri.
I enjoyed his acting in Crazy in Love, didn't know it was kinda like an autobiographical represenation. He's a great actor & deserves more recognition.
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5 rockpinkslip
October 30, 2009 at 9:59 PM
whoops I meant Lovers for 6 Yrs since I haven't watched Crazy in Love
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6 glitzyglam
October 30, 2009 at 10:07 PM
@4 - Wow, that came to a shock to me so I looked it up and something clicked in my mind and I vaguely started to remember when I read the thing about their couple ring... blahh how could I have forgotten! The only thing is.. that relationship was supposedly only 4 years.. so they lied about breaking up perhaps and went out for another 2 years..? hehehe I wonder..
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7 epyc
October 30, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Go, go, YKS! You are one of the most promising out there.
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8 Snikki
October 30, 2009 at 11:05 PM
There is a rumor about him and Go Ara these days. If it's true, I'm happy for them!
I was taken aback by that rabbit incident, too. I like reading his interviews, he doesn't seem to hold back on anything, though that gets him in trouble sometimes.
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9 glitzyglam
October 30, 2009 at 11:40 PM
ohmygosh I am so sorry for commenting here so much.. LOL! But I am watching TV right now and Section TV is on and I'm currently watching a small little segment on Executioners and an interview with JJH and YKS.
Wow, I just got chills watching a small little clip of the movie. I've always been against the death penalty as well (even though it seems though my reasoning is a bit different from YSK's.. as scary as the idea of death is.. the faulty court systems just really do not justify the death penalty to be acceptable, in my opinion), and I feel this movie is going to really hit EMOTIONALLY. Wow, I'll really be looking forward to this. I think Jo JaeHyun is an amazing actor and it just adds the cherry on the top to have Yoon Kyesang in it as well!
The scene in which the man's legs are shaking and the worker is trying to calm him down.. eeek, serious chills... nearly brought tears to my eyes.
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10 bbm
October 31, 2009 at 12:31 AM
looking for MINE trademark... yes, nowhere to be seen... :P
i always like him from Who Are You, i never got a chance to see Flying Boys yet, i've search everywhere and couldn't find it...
@Snikki, he doesnt seem to hold back on interview as you mentioned, but i hope there no serious trouble though...
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11 goldlilys
October 31, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Found out about him from My Sister in Law is 19 with Jung Da Bin (RIP) and thought he was originally an actor. I didn't know he was a singer, let alone part of G.O.D. I thought the same for Rain since I first thought he was a veteran actor from watching Let's Go To School Sang Doo. They both have done an amazing job transitioning from singers >> actors.
Recently just watched Come To Play with the Old Idols Special and one of the G.O.D. members was in it. There he mentioned Yoon Kye Sang and I could have sworn I heard of that name before ... and when I checked it out, it's the guy from Triple and 19. Hehe, from that show, I discovered that G.O.D. had it really hard compared to other idols like HOT. They were pretty much uncared for in the company.
Thanks for this info JB!! Goodnight all.
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12 Snikki
October 31, 2009 at 1:50 AM
@bbm
Dang it! I should have said MINE... :P
Anyway, I was referring to this one incident where he said something about G.O.D.
http://www.allkpop.com/index.php/full_story/yoon_kye_sang_clarifies_his_statement_about_g.o.d/
It was nothing serious... for me at least; I just don't know about the G.O.D. fans who reacted.
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13 sleeplessinwgtn
October 31, 2009 at 1:55 AM
Thanks for the interview translation, JB.
He is one of my favourite Korean actors. My first encounter with YKS is Who Are You, encouraged by your recaps. I loved him there. He grew into me.
Then I saw his My Sis-inLaw is 19 and then Crazy for You. I loved both, too, though I loved him even more in CFY - he can do drama and made me cry buckets.
I did not like his Triple role, I never even finished watching it.
Though I am sure he' gave a stellar performance in this Executioner movie, I don't think I can get myself to watch it because of the execution scenes. I love Tom Hanks but I have never seen his The Green Mile for the same reason.
I wish him success in this movie and I am looking forward to another drama with him in the lead role.
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14 Chiaki
October 31, 2009 at 2:50 AM
I don't like triple,but the reason i still wathced is because yoon kye sang....
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15 anny3fam
October 31, 2009 at 8:06 AM
wow!
you made my day, thank you so much.
he is one actor that when he get's to your heart, there's no turning back,
for me at least.
love his presence. love his raw emotions.
love the idea of him being crazy about acting.
thank god for little pleasures..
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16 tohru19
October 31, 2009 at 8:12 AM
I saw a picture of him taking with Sung Yuri so it must be her whom he has a relationship ...but 6 years O_O that's a really long time. I respect Yoon Kye Sang as an actor....It must be really brave of him to trade popularity for an ordinary life of an actor.
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17 katwoman
October 31, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Thanks so much for sharing. YKS is one of the few actors that I really look forward to watching in anything he's in.
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18 Marzy
October 31, 2009 at 8:40 AM
thanks JB. i really like kye sang. i like how he is growing into acting. i know many people still are throwing stones because of the whole god thing. i love god but yeah i got over it and im happy for kyesang where he has come and reached same with the god members. ^^ cant wait to watch his movie and hope a new drama from him soon. wow and i didnt know it was sung yuri. i mean sure the rumors. but i didnt think it was true.
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19 glencorajane
October 31, 2009 at 8:51 AM
yeah I am a kye Sang fan. He was fantastic in Who are you and Crazy in Love. I really look fwd to whatever projects he take on and I hope he finds love and comfort with a special someone!
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20 rockpinkslip
October 31, 2009 at 3:22 PM
@glitzyglam they initially went out for 4 yrs then broke up, then got back together for 2 yrs so total 6 yrs together...still a long time
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21 deannadsc
October 31, 2009 at 5:22 PM
...it's the first time I've heard about the YKS & Sung Yuri love affair...come to think of it, they look good together!!! What a waste, they would've had cute kids!!!hihihi!!! Love YKS & his dramas...so versatile, natural & cute!!! Can anyone tell me where I can watch "6 years in Love" online & w/ subtitles?
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22 Chiaki
October 31, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Try at Mysoju.com
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23 goldlilys
November 1, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Can you guys please stop recommending MySoju or any other streaming sites that steal others work like that. Plus, if you're a true fan, how can you watch movies when it's so low quality. You can download high quality movies at http://chinkymovies.blogspot.com/2008/09/kmovie-6-years-in-love.html or http://www.avistaz.com/ but you need to register first for this one.
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24 glencorajane
November 1, 2009 at 1:36 AM
the funny thing is that Sung Yuri is filming this show call Rabbit and Lizard and then suddenly this rabbit thing came out in his interview! Hope he has gotten over her!!
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25 smallfish
November 1, 2009 at 11:24 PM
i want his leather jacket.
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26 maria
November 2, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Thanks a lot for translating this interview with Yoon Kye Sang! I'm a big fan of his and I love reading and watching his interviews because he's always very sincere.
As for g.o.d... I LOOOOOOOOOVE g.o.d! Being a fan of g.o.d, its sad that he left because he could have done both at the same time. But after following Kye Sang's activities as an actor and seeying how much passion and talent he has for acting, I started to accept and admire him not only as a member (former-member) of g.o.d, but also as an actor.
I admire how Kye Sang was able to give up his popularity and sucess as member of one of the most famous idol groups to do what he truly loved: acting. It would have been easier for him to ride on his g.o.d fame to be casted on dramas and movies (like most singer-actors do), but Kye Sang didn't do that. He walked his own road to become an actor and he is always trying to improve himself as an actor and he's always trying to chose challenging roles and projects.
I hope someday he can be reconized as one of Korea's top actors. He's very hardworking and he has talent and he desearves a big hit. I hope the big hit can be this movie 'executioners'.
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27 glitzyglam
November 2, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Oh no... there seems to be drama with him mis-use of the word 좌파.. I looked it up on a translator because I too was not familiar with the word.. and that got me even more confused so I had to ask my mom. haha should have known that I can't always trust a translator site :/
I guess I don't understand the extremity of the situation, because I do exactly understand the word fully, still. But my mom said he did make a mistake.. ::sigh::
well he made an official apology now so I hope things get cleared up soon!
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28 cate
November 16, 2009 at 4:59 PM
...yeah i could defo tell he'd matured by the time triple was shown!!!!
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29 missy
December 19, 2009 at 7:57 PM
YKS is an awesome. He is a true talent.
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30 Yuan.Yu
June 14, 2010 at 6:14 PM
My idol, Happy!
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31 leila
January 3, 2011 at 6:59 AM
i looooooooooooooooooove you yoon kyae sang i love you very very much
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32 GAPZAA
January 24, 2011 at 12:33 PM
I like you very very much
i want.. facebook..
Thank you .... Good night
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33 ayhank azaa
June 11, 2012 at 6:23 AM
OMG you are talented actor, so emosional, so natural
I love you kye sang...
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